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When it comes to Batman’s 85th birthday, there’s really only one place to be: New York City.

Yes, really. Sorry, Gotham City — but that’s what you get for being a fictional locale in the first place. (Admittedly, one inspired by NYC, which really just underscores why New York gets the title in this particular contest.)

Warner Bros. Discovery and DC are celebrating the 85th anniversary of Batman’s first appearance in 1939’s Detective Comics #27 with a number of comic book giveaways across New York City on March 30, centering around a pop-up at SoHo News International (186 Prince St, New York, NY 10012) transforming it into a classic newsstand to give out facsimile copies of that seminal issue of Detective while supplies last.

(It’s not a completely faithful facsimile; the giveaway will also include Brad Meltzer and Bryan Hitch’s retelling of ‘The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,’ the story that introduce Batman to the world, which originally appeared in 2014’s Detective Comics Vol. 2 #27.)

Related: Batman's origin retold through the lens of real historic events in DC's Dark Age

The SoHo News location isn’t the only place fans can find a copy of the special giveaway in the city; copies of the anniversary edition can also be found at the following locations while supplies last, starting March 30:

• Action City Comics
• Alex's MVP Cards & Comics
• Bulletproof Comics and Games
• Forbidden Planet NYC
• St. Mark's Comics
• Midtown Comics Times Square
• Midtown Comics Grand Central
• Midtown Comics Downtown

This giveaway is just the start of the 85th anniversary celebrations for DC’s Dark Knight; still to come this fall is the annual Batman Day, which this year falls on September 21. Look for more information on what DC has in store to celebrate Batman’s birthday here on Popverse as news is announced. And everyone in NYC… enjoy your special gifts for being part of the city that helped inspire the Caped Crusader. We’re only slightly jealous. (Okay, very.)

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.